13 Home Remedies For Sciatica
Sciatica is a medical condition that results from some kind of irritation to the sciatic nerve. It manifests as pain shooting down the leg, usually only on one side. Common causes include a herniated disc and pregnancy, where the baby’s head can put pressure on the sciatic nerve in women. Usually, sciatica will clear up on its own, but the interim period can be agonizing, leaving many people suffering from sciatica feeling miserable and helpless. The usual treatment for sciatica is pharmaceutical painkillers, but these are known to cause medical problems up to and including addiction. There are, however, some natural treatments for sciatic nerve pain. Read on for some natural remedies for sciatica.
1. Warm Compress
One of the most effective treatments for sciatica comes through temperature. Many people with sciatica report that a warm compress can help to soothe irritated muscles. The heat can help muscles to relax, relieving tension that results muscular injury and nerve pain. Try applying a warm compress or a heating pad to affected areas. Repeated applications of heat can help to soothe the inflamed area and limit flare-ups of nerve pain.
2. Cold Compress
In addition to warm temperatures, cool temperatures can help to treat sciatica as well. If a herniated disc causes your sciatica, there is likely a great deal of inflammation around the injury. Applying cool temperature can help to reduce this inflammation, thereby also reducing the pain. Additionally, if the temperature is cool enough and you apply it for a long enough amount of time, you can actually numb the injury, thereby eliminating the pain for a short period of time. Try alternating cold compresses and warm compresses to allow temperature to help relieve symptoms of sciatica.
3. Massage
Massage is another incredibly popular treatment for sciatica. If a herniated disc causes your sciatica, massage can help to relieve muscle tension at the affected area and also stimulate circulation to the area. Furthermore, this improved circulation can help the injury to heal and to get the muscles and discs back into proper alignment. Regardless of the cause of your sciatica, massage can help to relieve tension and improve overall feeling. Try getting a partner to help you with a massage, or treat yourself to a professional treatment to enjoy reduced symptoms of sciatica.
4. Exercise
Although exercise may be the last thing you want to do when suffering from sciatica, maintaining your exercise regimen is important. In fact, you should try to focus your exercise on strengthening abdominal and back muscles. These strengthening exercises can help to expedite your recovery. Additionally, doing some specific stretches can help to alleviate sciatic nerve pain as well. Try lying on your back and bringing your knee up to your chest. Repeat this motion on both sides to stretch and relax your back muscles to alleviate symptoms.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric, a popular spice, is a favorite natural remedy for myriad illnesses. It contains a substance called curcurmin, which is a noted anti-inflammatory agent. Taking turmeric while suffering from a flare-up of sciatica can help to reduce the inflammation around the affected nerve and therefore reduce pain. You can try adding turmeric to your cooking or taking turmeric supplements, which are available at most natural drugstores.
6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is another favorite remedy for inflammatory concerns. Cayenne pepper contains a substance called capsaicin, which has noted anti-inflammatory properties. Adding cayenne pepper to your diet when suffering from a flare-up of sciatica can help to reduce inflammation at the affected area, thereby reducing pain and promoting healing. Furthermore, capsaicin is also a natural analgesic. Therefore, you can also apply cayenne pepper topically to help eliminate nerve pain radiating from the area. Try adding cayenne pepper to your diet, taking cayenne pepper supplements, and rubbing cayenne pepper topically to enjoy reduced benefits.
7. Cloves
Cloves are a great remedy for sciatica. First, cloves have noted anti-inflammatory properties, so they can help to reduce inflammation around the affected area and therefore reduce radiating nerve pain. Additionally, cloves are natural painkillers. They contain a substance called eugenol, which is actually used in some medicinal analgesics. Therefore, cloves can help to numb the pain associated with sciatica. You can add more cloves into your diet, or try mixing some clove oil into a shake. Probably the most popular way to use cloves, however, is to topically rub clove oil into the affected area. This helps to numb pain and reduce inflammation right at the source.
8. Ginger
Ginger is another herb with known anti-inflammatory properties. Ingesting more ginger can help to reduce the inflammation associated with a flare-up of sciatica, thereby reducing pain and expediting healing. You can add ginger to your diet, drink ginger tea, or take ginger supplements, which are available at most natural drugstores. Try adding ginger to enjoy reduced symptoms.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is a very popular herb that also has many medicinal uses. It is both an anti-inflammatory agent and a famous anti-oxidant. The anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce inflammation at the site of injury, and the anti-oxidants help to boost the immune system and therefore expedite the healing process. The anti-oxidants in rosemary also help to fight against cancer, so the more rosemary you can eat, the better. Try adding rosemary to roasted chicken or roasted vegetables to gain an excellent flavor and a healthy immune boost.
10. Garlic
Garlic is one of the world’s most popular flavorings. However, garlic does more than just make food taste great; it also has many medicinal properties, including being a noted anti-inflammatory. Adding garlic when suffering from sciatica can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Try adding more garlic to your diet or taking garlic supplements to reduce symptoms associated with sciatica.
11. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are thought of as miracle drugs. These natural fatty acids are incredibly healthy and help the body enact many of its most necessary functions. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids also help with sciatica pain. These fatty acids are necessary for lubrication, allowing them to moisturize the body and facilitate better nerve function by protecting the nerves. Therefore, eating more omega-3 fatty acids can expedite recovery from sciatica by providing the nerves with sufficient lubrication to avoid further injury and to heal. Foods like salmon, avocado, and olive oil are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating more of these during a flare-up of sciatica to accelerate the healing process.
12. Blueberries
Blueberries are another modern superfood. They are loaded with anti-oxidants that prevent against oxidative damage, which often results in cancer. Also, however, blueberries are strong anti-inflammatories, meaning that if you increase your intake of blueberries during a flare-up of sciatica, you can reduce inflammation at the source and therefore reduce pain. Try adding some blueberries to your diet every day, both to fight against sciatic nerve pain and to protect yourself against oxidative damage.
13. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has many medicinal properties. It is noted for its soothing properties, and it can help with sciatic nerve pain because it can act as a muscle relaxant. By relaxing muscles, it can lessen tension surrounding a muscular injury and also limit the radiating nerve pain. Try drinking chamomile tea every day to reduce symptoms associated with sciatica.
Sciatica can be an extremely painful condition. Even though it is usually temporary, it can be debilitating and leave many sufferers relying on strong pharmaceutical painkillers. However, there is another way. If you are tired of relying on pharmaceuticals but desperately need relief from your sciatic nerve pain, try some of these natural healing remedies.
